2013 Lap around the USA

[john.waters]

Well this road trip has gone from a dream to now a reality. I booked the flights last night to LA

Arrive LA Friday 10th May

Depart LA Thursday 4th July.

Hopefully this will give us enought time to complete the trip.Now its a matter of getting the route sorted out. We have a route planned, just need to plot the days and stops.

Still undecided on a van or a car.The van was last year was great as we spent a lot of time in National Parks and RV Parks. I looked at Jucy Vans but all booked out aound out time and a bit small for me to sleep in.

We still spent a few nights in Motels so the overal van / motel mix was getting expensive.
The real positive with a van was being able to put the long hours in without the worry of getting to a motel on time.
We want to get good value for our dollar on a long trip like this.

THe insurance part got us last year and we were put on the spot as out travel insurance was a bit confusing. Ended up paying an extra $18 per day for 42 days so added anothe $750 on to the hire.
The rental people wouldnt help too much, just said do you feel OK if you dont take out the insurance.
Still need to work on this one.

John

[john.waters]

Well the means of travel have been sorted.Escape Campers now have a Dodge Caravan Camper for Hire.It has more room for me to sleep, better fuel economy but the best seller was a compressor fridge, 2nd battery and invertor to run our electrics/chargers and too boot they are only 3 years old.

Escape Campes have a depot in New York so we may be able to drop the camper off there while we visit the City for a few days.

Plan looking good.

John

[Lifemagician]

John, sounds fantastic. Having the fridge, rather than a cooler, makes all the difference. Just make sure you drive enough each day to top up those batteries. Check up to see if the extra battery feeds off the car battery. In my Ford it is installed so that it can go flat, but cannot drain the car battery. Otherwise you may find that the fridge and any item you power through the inverter could flatten both batteries.

In 2009 my friends loaned me a Dodge Caravan, which we converted to a 'camper'. Mattress on the floor, 12v mini cooler - didn't even have a second battery, but did not often run it overnight - and a campstove. Served me well for almost 6 months. Took me to Alaska and back. Averaged around 26mpg.

No doubt the bed will be on a frame, with storage underneath. When the seats are removed, the floor is pretty well flat. It also has great headroom. You will be very comfortable.

Lifey

[john.waters]

Hi Lifey.
Starting to get the plan together.
The Dodge is set up so the main battery cant be flattened by the second battery. Looks like the pick of the vans and just 2 years old.

Still working on the route and forever changing things. We have put the whole of route 66 in the trip and looking forward to that part.

Getting from Albuquerque to New Oleans seems to be a challenge on what would be the most scenic without being too slow. I thought via San Antonio and Houston would be the best.

New Oleans is a long way out of our plan but something I dont want to miss.Anyone have any ideas on this part of the trip.

Another one that I am having difficulty in working out is the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline drive. What sort of time framw should I allow here.

I realise it could be done by just driving and not stopping or the whole time we have in the USA. Would 5-7 days be too short from Cherokee to Front Royal.

Cheers
John

[john.waters]

Hi all, well its 2013 here in Australia and now its onle about 17 weeks before we arrive for Road Trip number 2.
I now have an arrive and departure date set.Campervan booked and a plan set.Not in concrete but the direction we want to go and what we would like to achieve,If we run short of time we we leave a few places and pick up from there next time.I have a itinerary but still working on it as Im still trying to source some information.

usa 2013.jpg

The Plan is to follow the red line along Route 66 and then down to New Oleans,up to Tennessee and Kentucky,down to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Dr then Washington DC and North to Niagera Falls.

To Chicago and pick up Route 66 and complete it at Albuquerque and then the black line up to Montana via Denver and Rocky Mountain NP.Glacier NP and a little taste of Canada before heading back down to Columbia River Gorge,Crater Lake,San Francisco,Yosemite and back to LA.

A plan anyway

John.

[Lifemagician]

John, this is going to make for a great field report. Can't wait to read it and see all your fantastic photography.

Did you manage to pick up some of the cheap fares going at the moment? (I am tempted by $1100 return MEL - LAX with Virgin. Travel before 16th June.)

Lifey

[john.waters]

Thanks Lifey. Booked a few months ago but still around $ $1200 each. We leave on July 4. I tried to change to an extra day but too costly.
Just putting the bits together on the trip.Im still lost to finding out what sort of time I should allow to travel from Cherokee to Front Royal along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive. I was thinking at 30mph average I should allow about 4 days at a steady pace.Anyone have any ideas.We have a lot to cover so any help would be appreciated.

John

[Lifemagician]

Yeah! John, the BRP is slow going, which I know you don't mind, but it will take a while. Not to mention the numerous view points, which on a clear day allow for spectacular views. You'll love it for photos. Hope you don't strike fog. There are also many short hikes to be had.

I have never done the whole lot at once. I have been on various sections of it, and always underestimated the time it would take. Or maybe I just stop too often. Four days should see you fine. The good part is, if you find yourself way behind schedule, there is a faster road, not all that far away.

On another note, here is a website which was brought to my attention not all that long ago. A lot of great information and hints making the most of living in a vehicle. They also have a very active forum. The whole site, and forum is oriented to country roads and free camping. You might find some of it interesting/useful.

Lifey

[john.waters]

Thanks Lifey
I think Im going to have to put in a few long days. New Oleans look like it will chew into our time fairly well.Just getting there from Albuquerque is one long drive.Then back again. I found another drive on the way to Memphis called NAtchez Parkway.Looks like a nice drive as far as Tupelo if time permits.
I think we can afford 4 days on Blue Ridge Park Way. We not really decided on going to New York City so could bypass and save another couple of days,

Thanks for the link.

John

[Lifemagician]

John, You will love the Natchez Parkway. 50mph speed limit. No trucks. Very little traffic (when I was on it). And ever so much to see and explore along the way. I only drove the northern section, from west of Florence AL to Nashville TN. Took me nearly all day. Didn't allow anywhere near enough time for it. I particularly like the boards it had up along the way, explaining the history and significance of each particular spot.

There is no reason to think that the southern section won't be much the same. Yeah! a great drive.

Lifey